Chemotherapy is a process where powerful drugs are used to kill unwanted cells in the body. These drugs can be given to the patients orally or intravenously. So, if drugs are taken orally, it’s called Oral Chemotherapy or if drugs are given through veins, then it’s called IV chemotherapy. In this blog, we will explain the differences of oral chemotherapy Vs IV chemotherapy, including cost, side effects, pros & cons.
The work of both techniques is the same to kill overgrown cells in the body. These therapies are best because they do not include operations like organ transplant, the patients only have to receive the drugs on time. For some people, these treatment techniques can be good, or for some, it can be bad, but it’s the same as a general surgery.
What is Oral Chemotherapy?
Oral Chemotherapy is a process of taking cancer-killing drugs through the mouth in the form of tablets, capsules, and liquids. Oral chemotherapy is less costly than IV chemotherapy but slower action rate. For working professionals or for those who do not like to be in hospital this chemotherapy is the best option for them.
What is IV Chemotherapy?
IV Chemotherapy is a process of giving powerful drugs directly through the veins in the bloodstream so that the drugs can work faster to kill cancerous cells. This therapy is costlier as compared to oral chemotherapy but much faster. For this, chemotherapy patients have to go to the hospitals or any cancer center to receive the drugs into the bloodstream.
Difference Between Oral Chemotherapy and IV Chemotherapy
When comparing oral chemotherapy to IV (intravenous) chemotherapy, several factors come into play, like how the drug is administered, how often treatment is needed, and how it impacts the patient’s lifestyle. Here is a table that provides a quick comparison of both therapies:
| Oral Chemotherapy | IV Chemotherapy |
| Oral Chemotherapy can be taken daily. | IV Chemotherapy can be given every few weeks. (not daily) |
| It comes in the form of pills or liquid. | It is given by injection or a chemo port. |
| This therapy can be taken at home or at work. | For this, you have to go to the hospital or any cancer center. |
| No blood test is needed for every round of treatment. | Blood tests have been done before every round of treatment. |
| It is more convenient than IV Chemotherapy. | Less convenient than Oral Chemotherapy. |
| Do not require a team for assistants. | Require a team of assistants who can perform treatment on veins. |
Types of Cancer that are Cured: Oral Chemo VS IV Chemo
Here is the info on both therapies:
Types of Cancer that are Cured by Oral Chemotherapy
Oral cancer can not cure all cancerous diseases, but it can cure some of them, including the following types:
- Lung Cancer: Oral chemotherapy can cure lung cancer by killing small cancerous cells in the lungs area.
- Breast Cancer: It can cure breast cancer by targeting cancerous cells in the breast area.
- Kidney Cancer: It can be the best option for curing kidney cancer because it shrinks the tumor very effectively.
- Stomach Cancer: Oral chemotherapy can also be used for the treatment of stomach cancer.
- Ovarian Cancer: This chemotherapy is best for killing cancerous cells growing rapidly in the ovarian area.
- Leukemia: Oral chemotherapy drugs can also be used in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).
- Lymphoma: This therapy can cure different types of lymphoma.
- Colorectal Cancer: Fluorouracil(5-FU), capecitabine, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin drugs are used in oral chemotherapy for curing colorectal cancer
Types of Cancer that IV Chemotherapy cures
IV chemotherapy can cure some types of cancer but not all types, including the following types:
- Blood Cancer: IV chemotherapy is the best option for curing blood cancer because in this chemotherapy, drugs are injected directly into the bloodstream through veins.
- Pediatric Cancer: Childhood cancer can be cured by IV chemotherapy, like some leukemias and lymphomas.
- Hodgkin’s Lymphoma: IV chemotherapy can also cure Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
- Testicular Cancer: This therapy is best for treating testicular cancer in less time than average.
Effectiveness: Oral Chemotherapy and IV Chemotherapy
Mainly, both have their effects, such as targeting and killing the cancerous cells that are growing rapidly in the body. The work is the same, but the method of taking that is different. Oral chemotherapy is more convenient than IV chemotherapy because it is easy to take and does not require any guidance after a doctor’s prescription.
Both therapies can be done before or after any surgery or can be used as a primary treatment option for killing targeted tumor or cancer cells. It can also be used with radiotherapy and immunotherapy.
Course Duration: Oral Chemo VS Intravenous Chemo
Here is the duration of the course on both therapies:
Oral Chemotherapy Course
The course of oral chemotherapy basically lasts for 3 to 6 months, but it totally depends on the patient’s disease or the stage of the disease. If doctors think it takes more time or the tumor is not shrinking as expected, then the regular time may increase the course for more months.
IV Chemotherapy Course
IV chemotherapy course also depends on the stage of the disease and how positively chemotherapy reduces or kills cancerous cells. In many cases, it may take 3 to 4 months, but depending on the disease, it can be less or more.
Side Effects: Oral Chemo VS IV Chemo
The side effects of oral chemotherapy as well as IV chemotherapy are mostly the same because in both cases, we are using drugs to kill the cancerous cells or to reduce the tumor. Some main side effects are:
- Hair Loss: Chemotherapy damages hair cells because these cells also grow rapidly, and drugs can’t differentiate between cells. The result is an excessive amount of hair fall.
- Fatigue: It can result from powerful drugs taken to kill targeted tumors or cancerous cells. It can last for many days, depending on the chemotherapy cycle or the disease status.
- Constipation: It is also a result of drugs used in chemotherapy which make the stool(poop) hard, dry and difficult to pass. The hardness and dryness in the poop is because the large intestine absorbs all water from the poop.
- Nausea: In this situation, your stomach feels sick. It can last for 24 hours after chemotherapy. But it depends on drugs, because some drugs do not cause nausea while some do.
- Diarrhea: This is also caused by chemotherapy drugs, which affect the cells that lie in the gastrointestinal tract.
- Sore Mouth: Chemotherapy drugs impact the mouth lining which results in sore mouth and pain.
- Loss of Appetite: Patients who have chemotherapy lose their appetite. It can happen because of taking drugs that are impacting the taste buds and making food less tasty than before. It can also be caused by fatigue, nausea, and a sore mouth.
- Low Blood Cell Counts: Chemotherapy can reduce the production of blood cells in the bone marrow, which can be the result of low blood cell count.
Advantages: Oral Chemotherapy and IV Chemotherapy
Look at the benefits or pros of oral chemotherapy vs IV chemotherapy:
Advantages of Oral Chemotherapy
- The main advantage of oral chemotherapy is that you can take your drugs at home and don’t have to go to the hospital periodically. It is more convenient than IV chemotherapy.
- This therapy is very convenient for those patients who are working professionals and don’t have time to go to the hospital weekly.
- Oral chemotherapy also reduces the release of blood, which is common in the case of IV chemotherapy.
- It is also good for those patients who have a fear of needles.
Advantages of IV Chemotherapy
- The primary and main advantage of IV chemotherapy is that it is faster than oral chemotherapy because, in this process, medicines or drugs are directly injected into the bloodstream.
- It is a faster way of giving medicines to any patient and can be useful in pain management, nutrition, like vitamins and minerals injected directly into the bloodstream through veins.
Disadvantages: Oral Chemotherapy VS IV Chemotherapy
Look at the disadvantages or cons of oral chemo and IV chemo:
Disadvantages of Oral Chemotherapy
- The primary disadvantage of oral chemotherapy is that it is not a faster way of delivering medicines in the bloodstream; it takes time for drugs to mix with blood and act on the goal.
- In this therapy, you are cut from the hospital and not assisted by any specialist, which can affect the medication cycle or improper medicine intake.
- For those patients who build some connection with the hospital staff or those staff who are helping them while recovering, it is difficult for them to take their medicine without their assistance.
Disadvantages of IV Chemotherapy
- The main disadvantage is that you need a proper hospital or cancer center and assistance from doctors while performing this therapy.
- Bad for working professionals because they have to go to the hospital every week without missing any cycle.
- For those patients who like to stay at home and do physical activities, and have a fear of needles.
Cost: Oral Chemo and IV Chemo
The cost difference between oral chemotherapy vs IV chemotherapy depends on many factors like the hospitals, location, stage of disease, etc.
Cost for Oral Chemotherapy
- The cost incurred for oral chemotherapy in India is between 5,000 INR to 23,000 INR per month.
- This cost can be changed depending on hospital selection, location and stage of disease, drug used, and time of treatment.
Cost for IV Chemotherapy
- The cost for IV chemotherapy in India is more than oral chemotherapy. It ranges from 15,000 INR to 50,000 INR per cycle.
- This cost can also change depending on the time of treatment, location, type of hospital, stage of disease, and drug used in that process.
Who is the Best Candidate for Oral Chemotherapy as well as for IV Chemotherapy?
The best candidate for oral chemotherapy, as well as IV chemotherapy, depends on the nature of the patient.
For example: A person who is suffering from blood cancer or bone cancer last stage can prefer IV chemotherapy because it works faster than oral chemotherapy so in that case this patient is best candidate for this therapy, but at the same time one patient is in the 1st stage can go for oral chemotherapy because one have lot of time to cure that disease and this therapy is less costly than IV therapy.
Best Candidate for Oral Chemotherapy
- Working professionals are the best candidates for oral chemotherapy, because they don’t have time to go to the hospital weekly, and they like to get cured at home.
- Those who fear injections can also come under this category.
- Also, those who do not want their blood to be drawn frequently can be the best candidates for this therapy.
- Those who prefer home rather than hospitals.
- Those who want to cure their disease at an affordable price.
Best Candidate for IV Chemotherapy
- Mainly, those patients who are at their last stage of cancer prefer IV chemotherapy, because it is way faster than oral chemotherapy.
- Those patients who don’t have any idea how to take their medicines or drugs on their own can also be recommended for this chemotherapy.
- Those who want to treat themselves before time and have good financial backup can also go for it.
- Those who prefer doctor assistance over self-dependence can also go for IV chemotherapy.
Conclusion
Oral chemotherapy vs IV chemotherapy both are best for killing cancerous cells or tumors. It depends on the patients which treatment they want to go for because one is faster and one is cheaper, so if a patient wants to cure themselves, then they can choose according to the stage of their cancer or their financial condition.
